Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Work has started on the second phase of a walking and cycling route which will improve links between communities and to key leisure and employment sites in Llanelli. Phase one of the scheme – which saw a shared use path created along the A4138 between Dafen and Llangennech – has already been completed. Now work is underway on the second phase along the B4303 Llethri Road. The scheme will encourage sustainable travel and improve road safety in the area, linking communities for easy access to schools and shops, and employment sites including those at Llanelli Gate Business Park and the Dafen Industrial Estate, as well as Gestamp and Calsonic Kansei, who are large employers in the town. It also forms part of the longer term plan to create a wider walking and cycling network in and around Llanelli, achieving the council’s requirements under the Active Travel Act and supporting Carmarthenshire’s aspiration to become a premier walking and cycling destination in Wales. Construction work sta...

The deep blue sea of Carmarthenshire’s Golden Coast seems to have sprayed inland since March. Farmer’s fields, roadside verges and woodlands are awash with myriads of bluebells. Visitors and walkers in the county’s countryside have been entranced by the heavy scent from the dancing fields of sapphire bluebells from Tregib Woods, Llandeilo, to St Illtyd’s Walk, Pembrey. County countryside officer Simeon Jones said the bonus profusion of bluebells this year was down to the unusual climatic conditions. He said: “The cold weather affects bluebell flowering with chilly conditions slowing the whole process. March this year was a cold in comparison to previous years. “We’re lucky to see bluebells flower quite early in south west Wales due to the relatively mild oceanic conditions and they are best seen in the morning. This year’s unusual late flowering also means that the bluebells have to compete with other plants and also from less light reaching them as the leaves on the trees start to g...

Locals and holidaymakers are busy exploring the Llanybri Heritage Trails, three new circular trails that link with Llansteffan on the Wales Coast Path. The trails bring to life the cultural distinctiveness of the Tâf/Tywi peninsula, a relatively undiscovered part of the county. The accompanying trail booklet features the built heritage, stories and artefacts associated with pilgrims passing by, local characters making a living on coast, river and marsh and farming life in days gone by. Users can find out about the local pastime known as 'fflwca,' why Dylan Thomas appears on the back of Jack Roberts the ferryman and the legend surrounding the 'Pilgrims' graves' at Llandeilo Abercywyn. On the coastal trail, three singing ladies in the form of a bespoke crafted steel seat provide a welcome and attractive resting place. Sited in the Sticks woods near Llansteffan, the seat commemorates the mock-mayor making, concerts and social gatherings that took place in th...

Forget about surfing the web – how about walking the web? Walking Well Carmarthenshire has just launched its brand new bilingual website, aimed at encouraging people to take part in group walks. The website provides a source of information for people interested in group walking, as well as providing details of forthcoming events. The Walking Well Carmarthenshire initiative began as a collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council 50+ Forum and Public Health Wales. Andy Kurzfeld, Walking Well Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: “Walking in groups has been shown to have significant benefits to social, physical and mental health and wellbeing. It encourages increased activity levels, helps people stay active, and it is great for socialising. “The website aims to make it easier for people in Carmarthenshire to find a local Walking Well group and get involved. “It provides information on the health benefits of walking, details of Walking Well groups in Carmarthen, Llanelli and St C...

There will be a public exhibition in Pembrey on Friday (May 25th) explaining £558,000 worth of safe walking and cycling routes around the village. The massive scale of the 13 elements involved will be graphically illustrated at the Pembrey Community Centre on Mountain Road between 1.30 and 7pm. The scheme will unveil plans to improve access to the Pembrey Primary School, library, St Illtyd’s Parish Church, Pembrey Country Park, Ashburnham Golf Course, the Millennium Coastal Path, Mountain Road and the Pembrey Canal cycleway and footpath. The path is currently being upgraded by the Council’s transport and engineering division as part of the Regional Transport Plan Walking and Cycling linkages scheme. Works have already started and will be delivered by April next year. County head of engineering and transport Stephen Pilliner said: “We have been successful in bidding for funding under the Welsh Government Safe Routes in Communities initiative “We were successful in drawing down £558,068...

Hywel Dda Health Board | Get Your Walking Boots on this Healthy Wednesday This Healthy Wednesday why not start preparing to enjoy the Wales Coast Path and the many health benefits walking can have? On Saturday 5 May, the longest continuous coastal path around any country (870 miles) officially opens and will take you from the Llŷn Peninsula down through Cardigan Bay, through Britain’s only coastal National Park in Pembrokeshire, and along miles of golden sand in Carmarthenshire. This is an exciting time to explore and embrace the coastal landscape of Wales, right on your doorstep.

There has never been a better time to dust down the walking boots… The all-Wales Coast Path launches on May 5th and many of the walks in this year’s Llanelli Festival of Wales starting on June 1st takes in coastal Carmarthenshire. Guided walks have been arranged by the Llanelli and Dinefwr Ramblers to celebrate the opening of the Carmarthenshire section of the Welsh Coast Path May 5-6th, part of the Big Welsh Coastal Walk Event: Saturday 5th May 0900am Walk from Loughor Bridge to Burry Port Along the Wales Coast Path, 9.5 mile walk led by a member of the Ramblers, part of the Big Welsh Coastal Walk. For further information please see http://www.ramblers.org.uk/wales Saturday 5th May 1100am Circular walk from Festival Fields in Llanelli. A 2.75 mile circular walk around the Millenium Coastal Park, including a section of the Wales Coast Path. Part of the Big Welsh Coastal Walk. For further information please call John Cook 01554 759211 or see http://www.ramblers.org.uk/wales Saturda...